Short Biography of Shaykh Maher al-Qahtani (May Allaah preserve him)Abu ‘Abdillaah Maher ibn Dhafer ibn ‘Abdillaah al-Qahtani (hafidhahullaah)He was born in 1388 AH (1968 CE)He began seeking knowledge at Umm ul Qura’ University in the field of Engineering and left it for the pursuit of ‘Ilm us Shari’ah.He graduated with a bachelor in the science of hadeeth.He began sitting in the circles of knowledge of the ulamah, including but not exclusive, to Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Azeez Bin Baz, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Uthaymeen, Shaykh ‘Abdullaah al-Ghudayaan, Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, Shaykh Waseullaah al-‘Abbaas, Shaykh Khidr ash-Shinqitee, Shaykh Muhammad Bazmool and others.He met Shaykh al-Albaanee and sat several sittings with him in Jordan.He is a Khateeb in Jami’ ul Bilaal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.When Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan was called to give classes in Jami’ ul Bilaal, he asked who was present there (teaching etc.) and was told Shaykh Maher, so he (Shaykh Fawzaan) replied, “I don’t need to be there, Shaykh Qahtani is there”.As for what has been transmitted to me from some of the trustworthy ones, and they heard it directly, or came across what has been said in terms of praise of Shaykh Abi ‘Abdillaah Mahir bin Dhafer Al-Qahtani, from the people of knowledge:Firstly: Then it is what the Shaykh, the 'Allamah, the Imam, Abdulaziz bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) said when he was called by phone (by Shaykh Mahir) after some time after having a knowledge based discussion and the asking of questions by Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani in Shaykh Abdulaziz bin Baz's house in Taif: So when (Shaykh Bin Baz) recognised his (Shaykh Mahir's) voice he said: You are Mahir (meaning you are skilled, proficient) insha-Allah.

And Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said about Ibn Muflih you are Muflih (meaning you are successful) insha-Allah.Secondly: The statement of the Shaykh, the Allamah, Al-Albani: When he found out from some people about what Shaykh Mahir bin Dhafer Al-Qahtani had put forward for the sunnah and the opposition of those who are against him due to what he transmits and teaches of good, they oppose him in that. Or other than this of which he heard, he said: You are 'Dhafer' insha-Allah - meaning victor - and this is a good omen, insha-Allah.Thirdly: The statement of the Shaykh, Dr. Muhammad Bazmool in a sitting in the presence of Shaykh Rabee' Al-Madkhalee. Shaykh, Dr. Muhammad said to Shaykh Rabee': I have not seen anyone the age of Shaykh Mahir like him.Fourthly: The statement of the Shaykh Al-Khidr Ash-Shanqeeti - previously a teacher in Umm Al-Qura University, and he was from the shaykhs of Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani and he was the one who spent the most time with the author of, Adwaa' Al-Bayan (the famous tafseer), the Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ameen Ash-Shanqeeti. He (Shaykh Al-Khidr) said: Oh Qahtani, what are the books that you read from? I have not sat with you except that I have benefited. (And he has passed away - may Allah the Most High have mercy on him).Fifthly: Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad becoming acquainted with the research paper replying to Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-'Ubaykan regarding the removing of magic by magic and that not being allowed from a number of aspects. So Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad personally called Shaykh Mahir Al-Qahtani and encouraged him to distribute it and he was pleased with what was mentioned in it in terms of knowledge and evidence.Sixthly: Shaykh, Dr. Salih Al-Fawzan becoming acquainted and in agreement with some of his research papers, such as his reply to bin Jibreen with regard to allowing the giving of charity with Riba money and also his research paper Kashful-Ghalas Fee Hukmil-Jaras (the ruling regarding bells); about which he said the speech in it is knowledge-based speech.He has written tazkiyaat from Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan and Shaykh Doctor Rabee’ ibn Hadi al-Madkhalee. (scanned copies attached below)Tazkiyyah to Shaykh Maher al-Qahtani (hafidhahullaah) from Shaykh Rabee’ al-Madkhalee (hafidhahullaah)